allow doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"allow doing" is not correct or usable in written English.
Instead, you should use the verb phrase "allow to do" to indicate permission. For example: The headmaster allowed the students to stay after school and complete their project.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It is also why many farmers say they will not build homes on the land they lease, despite a concession this year to allow doing so.

The New York Times

The plans of NASA to go beyond Earth orbit, initially set up a circumlunar platform, would allow doing research and technology development in many areas, long-duration study of the effects of high radiation doses on humans, the testing of suitable protection methods and preparation for the next steps of human exploration.

REACH - Reviews in Human Space Exploration

Should countries or HIV and AIDS programs always choose generic ARV over innovator products if patent policies allow doing so?

BMC Public Health

Individual patient data will allow doing time-to-event pooled analyses for outcomes such as death, duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen dependency.

BMC Pediatrics

The selected MP3 player must allow doing easily common tasks like these: Interact with your computer.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The hits Halladay does allow do little damage.

The New York Times - Sports

This is fantastic, as it allows doing more with less.

Huffington Post

The boy, even Simon allowed, did have a point.

The New York Times

Some of what's allowed doesn't make sense".

Forbes

If you aren't allowed, don't do it.

WikiHow

If you are allowed, do makeup on each other.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "allow to do" instead of "allow doing" to ensure grammatical correctness. For instance, "The rules allow students to use calculators" is correct.

Common error

Avoid using the gerund form ("doing") directly after "allow". This construction is grammatically incorrect. Always use the infinitive form ("to do") instead. Saying "allow playing" instead of "allow to play" is a common mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allow doing" functions as a verb followed by a gerund. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "allow to do", where "to do" functions as an infinitive phrase, expressing permission or enablement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "allow doing" appears in some contexts, it is grammatically incorrect according to Ludwig AI. The correct form is "allow to do", which should be used to express permission or enablement. Given its low frequency and grammatical issues, writers should avoid "allow doing" in favor of the grammatically correct alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow to do

This is the grammatically correct form to express permission or enablement.

permit to do

Similar to "allow to do", but uses a different verb with the same core meaning.

authorize to do

Implies a more formal permission or sanction.

enable to do

Focuses on providing the means or opportunity to perform an action.

let do

A more informal way of expressing permission.

give permission to do

Explicitly states the act of granting permission.

grant the ability to do

Highlights the provision of capability.

make it possible to do

Emphasizes the creation of possibility.

entitle to do

Indicates a right or qualification to perform an action.

license to do

Suggests a formal authorization, often for specific activities.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the word "allow" in a sentence?

The word "allow" should be followed by "to + verb" to form the infinitive. For example, "The teacher "allows students to leave" early."

What is the correct grammatical structure after the word "allow"?

The correct structure is "allow + object + to + verb". For example, "They "allow us to participate" in the event" is grammatically sound.

Is "allow doing" ever correct in English?

No, "allow doing" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is always "allow to do". For example, use "allow to enter" instead of "allow entering".

What are some alternatives to "allow to do"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "permit to do", "enable to do", or "authorize to do". Each carries a slightly different nuance.